Hastings looking to take development further
One of the Coburg Football Clubs biggest achievements over the past few years has been the implementation of the Development Academy under Marcus Hastings, and in 2016 it will be taken to another level under his guidance and leadership.
While the senior side in 2014 scored an admirable five wins considering the youthfulness of the playing list, the development league side notched up a mere two wins to finish last on the ladder. With a significantly improved list in 2015, under Hastings is where it proved how the clubs depth has improved dramatically.
To his credit, as well as his side and his assistants, they turned a lacklustre start to the season around having won only two of their opening six matches to win the last eight of ten matches to finish fourth on the ladder to set up a semi-final showdown with the Casey Scorpions- who they had beaten in the three occasions they had met in 2015, and did it with ease in the final to make it four. The season was ended against a Williamstown side who would go on to be premiers. However while the taste of defeat was undoubtedly bitter, considering where the team had been 12 months ago, the achievement was considered a success, however ultimately not where he wanted to finish. Overall, Hastings was content with his side’s performance in 2015. “It was great that players got to experience finals and obviously encouraging that we went from finishing last in 2014 to finish 3rd in 2015. Fantastic that so many of the players developed their games and we were able to get games into our players who came straight out of TAC Cup and local leagues. We tried as much as possible to expose players to different positions and situations throughout the year with some good effect. It was great to see so many players play in the development team at the start of the year work their way into VFL calculation and play well at that level. Players who are into their 2nd year should now have a better understand of what Coburg is about and the demands of a VFL program.”
While the players are approaching the final two months of the pre-season campaign, Hastings expects more or less the same from his development league side in 2016. “There will be no expectation on how many games we will win but more that we keep developing kids to be ready for VFL football and understand the demands of playing against professional AFL listed players. We will continue to do this by exposing players in a variety of positions and to showcase their talents and work hard on their deficiencies with support from the coaching group. I am really excited to see those 2nd year players really take their games to the next level and play regular VFL football.”
Hastings has also liked what he has seen this pre-season in his second season at the club- compared to the previous one, that being his first. “I believe it is going really well. With the increase of coaching personal this preseason has meant more 1 on 1 time with individual players. I believe this is essential for such a young list. Players are now starting to utilize their time better pre and post training with their individual skill development increasing through structured craft activities. Volume of work has increased by up to 50%. Players are now being tested no only physically but mentally with a strong focus on making decisions under fatigue. It is encouraging to see players really take this to the next level and embrace it and more importantly embrace each other.”
Being the clubs head Development Coach, Hastings is also responsible for the clubs Development Academy. Hastings’ teaching background was a major factor in his appointment in that role, as his interpersonal skills was seen as crucial for communication with the clubs youth. Every fortnight following the clubs main training session on a Wednesday night, the clubs first and second year players aged twenty one and under will be in attendance, and will run for at least 20-60 minutes per session.
While Hastings will be mainly responsible for the sessions, he will be supported by his assistant coaches as well as Player Welfare Manager Darren Richards. While the players are to benefit from this program, Hastings too has his own expectations of the program, however ultimately it is up to the players themselves to put in, in order to achieve the desired outcome for themselves, but more importantly the coaches. “My main aim with our Development Academy is to develop our 1st and 2nd year players both on and off the field. This also includes providing opportunities for personal growth and developing life outside of football. Players will also be supported through individualized programs to enhance their on-field game. It is essential for player growth in and away from the club. It improves the club as it gives it another tool when developing players and shows the club cares for its players. The clubs puts a lot of different resources into making these sessions effective. From a personal player stand point, players improve themselves and gives them the best opportunity to be successful both on and off the field. Players will ultimately get whatever they put into it. Last year the players were fantastic when giving up their time and got a lot of skills out of the program.”
Hastings plans to implement into the sessions quite a considerable amount of hands on work rather than theoretical practices. “We have implemented a range of things to develop our 1st and 2nd year players both for their on and off field development. These sessions are player driven and invaluable to their transition from TAC Cup/Local. Throughout the season we cover interest based sessions including goal setting, leadership development, game development including vision and skill acquisition, personal planning including career development, financial advice and life skills – preparing food and things of that nature. We also focus on personal decision making around acceptable social behaviours, nutrition, rehab, as well as inviting guest speakers to talk to our academy kids. We also expose our Development Academy players to AFL games which centres on their game preparation and through our duty of care groups manage their workloads and mental states.”
A well liked and much respected figure around at the Coburg Football Club, Hastings’ impact in well over twelve months at Piranha Park has dramatically fast tracked the development of the clubs young rising stars, not just in regards to their football however also their personal development.
